All about USMLE Step 2 Exam: Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills

The USMLE-Step 2 is the second part of the United States Medical Licensure Examination. It assesses clinical knowledge through a multiple-choice nine-hour long examination. The focus of Step-2 is more on the clinical application of medical knowledge. The ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision are assessed. Step 2 is generally taken during the fourth year of medical school

Step 2 is divided into two exams – Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS).

Step 2 CK test is composed of eight question sets with 45 questions per set. Each section is one hour long. The test includes questions from various content areas like internal medicine, paediatrics, preventive medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery, psychiatry, and other areas relevant to the provision of care under supervision. This test requires interpretation of tables and laboratory data, results of other diagnostic studies, imaging studies, and photographs of gross and microscopic pathologic specimens.

Step 2 CS exam consists of 12 patient encounters, acted out by actors playing the role of patients. The examinees must take a history, do a physical examination, determine differential diagnoses, and then write a patient note based on their determinations. The topics covered are common outpatient visits in the fields of internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, paediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Examinees are supposed to investigate the simulated patient's main complaint, obtain a thorough assessment of their past medical history, medications, allergies, social history, and family history. Examinees can also have one telephone encounter, speaking to a patient where there is no physical checkup.

Exam Centers

CK exam can be taken at all Prometric exam centres across the world.

CS exam can be taken only in the USA at five Clinical Skills Evaluation Centers (CSEC) located at:

1. Atlanta
2. Chicago
3. Houston
4. Los Angeles
5. Philadelphia

Check out the Final Step on USMLE: Step 3 Exam.

Check out the standardised exams required to study abroad: